Dassault Falcon 10X Bizjet Makes First Test Flight

Dassault Aviation made the first flight with its Falcon 10X this morning, kicking off a test campaign the French aircraft manufacturer hopes will lead to type certification in 2027. The ultra-long-range business jet took off from Runway 23 at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (LFBD) at 11:10 a.m. local time, landing two-and-a-half hours later at 1:40 p.m.

Test pilots Sébastien Dupont de Dinechin and copilot Fabrice Dougnac were at the controls to conduct an initial evaluation of the 10X’s handling qualities at 15,000 feet. Then they retracted the landing gear and all movable surfaces before climbing to FL400, where they accelerated to Mach 0.82.

The first example of the twinet will soon be joined by a second test aircraft that is nearing completion at Dassault’s Mérignac factory. This will be followed by a third 10X fitted out with a full cabin interior that will be used mainly for evaluating aircraft systems, as well as functionality and reliability testing.

Dassault rolled out the first 10X at an event in Bordeaux on March 10. With the widest cabin in its class, the twinjet is expected to offer eight-passenger range of 7,500 nm and a top speed of Mach 0.925.

The clean-sheet design is powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X turbofans, delivering more than 18,000 pounds of thrust. The flight deck features the NeXus avionics suite developed with Honeywell.

AINsight: The Blind Spot Called ‘Experience’

Years ago, I suggested to a longtime aviation director that he should be developing more than one person to succeed him. That certainly did not go over well.

We were sitting with a group of directors, and he made it very clear that he disagreed. Before I could respond, several of the other leaders around the table jumped in. Their reaction was immediate.

If we’re not developing future leaders, they argued, we’re not doing our jobs. Building a strong flight department isn’t about grooming one successor. It’s about developing people throughout the organization and preparing the next generation of professionals. It strengthens the industry.

I’ve since thought about that conversation many times because it illustrates a pattern that I’ve seen repeatedly when years of success convince us that our way is the right way—or the only way.

The irony of this is that experience is one of the greatest assets we have in business aviation. It helps us make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and build credibility with owners, executives, and teams. The challenge is making sure experience remains a foundation for learning rather than a substitute for it.

NTSB Prelim Report Notes GPS Jamming in King Air Crash

The NTSB noted military GPS jamming in a preliminary report on the May 14 crash of Beechcraft King Air C90 N249CP that killed all four occupants during an air ambulance flight in New Mexico. Operated by Generation Jets under Part 135, the airplane departed Roswell Air Center (KROW), bound for Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (KSRR) in Ruidoso to pick up a patient for transport to Albuquerque. The two pilots worked for Generation Jets; the two passengers were flight nurses with Trans Aero MedEvac.

Before takeoff, the crew’s briefing noted that the military had scheduled GPS jamming across the area and altitudes the flight would cross. About eight minutes after departure, the crew informed controllers at Albuquerque Center that they had lost GPS capability and needed a heading. Controllers asked the military to stop the jamming.

Recorded ADS-B data from the King Air thinned to roughly one-minute intervals during the jamming, returned to intervals of two to three seconds after that request, and thinned again after controllers told the military it could resume jamming. Investigators also noted that the airplane’s onboard Spidertracks unit recorded a GPS altitude about 600 feet higher than its ADS-B altitude, and that the ADS-B record contained large gaps.

The crew reported Ruidoso in sight and accepted a visual approach in clear conditions on a dark, moonless night, before striking terrain in the Capitan Mountains.

Tampa-area FBO Adds New Hangars

American Aviation, an FBO, maintenance provider, and flight school at Florida’s Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport (KBKV), is in the midst of a hangar-building boom. The Avfuel-branded location added a pair of 12,000-sq-ft hangars in the second half of last year, which brought the complex to 112,000 sq ft of hangar space on the field, and it is currently working on more.

The latest of the $1.25 million, 12,000-sq-ft hangars is slated for completion in October and will be able to shelter up to light jets and turboprop singles. As soon as that is finished, the company will begin construction of another hangar of the same size.

“This expansion represents another important milestone for American Aviation and our continued investment in Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport,” said Jennifer Torraco, the facility’s general manager. “As demand for aviation services and hangar space continues to grow, this project allows us to better serve our customers, support local economic development, and strengthen the airport’s position as a growing aviation hub for the region.”

FAA Commissions First of New Indra Radars

The FAA has commissioned the first new secondary radar supplied by Indra Group USA, the air traffic management technology provider announced on Tuesday. Installed in Putnam, Oklahoma, the equipment is among 185 primary and secondary radars Indra will provide under an initial $342 million Radar System Replacement program contract.

In January, the FAA announced that it had awarded contracts to both Indra and RTX for the installation of up to 612 radars by June 2028. The initial phase covers 410 ground-based air traffic control radars split among both contractors, with the remainder anticipated to be awarded in upcoming years. The radar award followed an earlier FAA contract that Indra received to provide 46,000 new radios and associated ground support.

Indra Group USA is producing the radars at its 125,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility, which it recently opened in Olathe, Kansas. That facility was designed to accommodate the necessary ramp-up in production capacity to meet a demanding delivery timeline for the new radars. In addition, the Olathe site will handle high-volume communications and defense technology production, including the Nexcom digital radios that will be capable of analog and voice-over-internet-protocol operations.

“The commissioning of Indra Group USA’s first radar in Putnam is an achievement that demonstrates our role as a trusted technology partner to the FAA,” said Víctor Martínez, executive v-p of air traffic management at Indra Group.

Garmin Expands Navigation Database To Include Africa

Aircraft owners and operators can now purchase Garmin’s navigation database with coverage of Africa, for use with Garmin integrated flight decks, navigators, flight displays, portable units, and other devices. The new coverage adds more than 40 countries in Africa and includes en route and airspace data, instrument procedures, frequencies, and airport information.

Buyers can add the Africa nav database by purchasing the new Transatlantic OnePak subscription, which includes Africa, Europe, and the Americas, and it can be installed on all compatible avionics in an aircraft and on an eligible Garmin portable device. Price for the Transatlantic OnePak starts at $999, or with FliteCharts terminal procedures, $1,399. Customers can also update a navigation database only with a standalone Africa package for $449 or a single-month option at $149.

According to Garmin, the Africa database allows users of the Garmin Pilot app to view additional VFR information in South Africa, including airport arrival and departure routes and visual reference points.

To add the Africa database, buyers can use Garmin’s aviation database manager on their computers, which can automatically download the latest updates for transfer to a device or data card. Alternatively, Garmin’s Database Concierge loads updates into the Garmin Pilot app for wireless transfer to compatible avionics. Aircraft equipped with Garmin’s PlaneSync connected aircraft management system can upload databases automatically via 4G LTE or Wi-Fi connections on the ground.

Titan Aviation Fuels Strengthens Ties with FBO Chain

Titan Aviation Fuels has expanded its agreement with PremierFBO—a chain of three FBOs in the central U.S.—to supply fuel. The North Carolina-based fuel provider had supported the PremierFBO facility at Detroit-area Oakland County International Airport (KPTK) for the past five years.

Building on the successful relationship between the two companies, this new deal will add Premier’s other locations at Dayton International Airport (KDAY) in Ohio and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG). As Premier has grown its footprint, the company has continued to place its trust in Titan’s fueling solutions, operational support, and service.

Titan has a network of more than 660 branded dealer FBO locations and offers a full slate of services, including a customer loyalty rewards program, aviation card processing, aviation insurance, FBO management software, quality control training, and equipment leasing and financing.

“One of the greatest indicators of success is when customers choose to grow with you,” said Titan president Robbie Stallings. “Our relationship with PremierFBO is a testament to the value of long-term partnerships built on trust, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional service to aircraft operators.”

Angel Flight West Sets $1 Million Record at Fundraiser

Angel Flight West’s 12th Annual Endeavor Awards event raised more than $1 million for the first time in the fundraiser’s history, the organization announced.

The Los Angeles-based nonprofit coordinates free, non-emergency air travel for patients with serious medical conditions who need access to healthcare far from home. Funds raised through sponsorships, auction proceeds, and hosted tables directly support the organization’s network of volunteer pilots, drivers, and commercial airline partners serving the Western U.S.

“In today’s economic climate, this level of generosity is truly remarkable,” said Mary Hunter, executive director of Angel Flight West.

The annual fundraiser recognized several honorees: Will Cutter and Cutter Aviation, the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, volunteer pilot Chris Bennett, and Jerry Hill, a volunteer pilot with Challenge Air for Kids & Friends. Several sponsored tables raised more than $50,000 during the event. Major sponsors included Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, AOPA, UCLA Health, Cutter Aviation, and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

The 13th Annual Endeavor Awards is scheduled for May 7, 2027, in Los Angeles.

Photo of the Week

Global Cup. While the world is turning its attention to the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament, Bombardier brought freestyle soccer star Lisa Zimouche on board a Global 8000 to showcase her skills both on the ground and in air. The flight was intended to demonstrate Bombardier’s Smooth Flex Wing technology, highlighting Zimouche’s ability to maintain her sharp skills even while airborne. Zimouche, from Paris, France, is a freestyle soccer world champion and social media star. The trip in May was a match, showing the prowess of both the Global 8000 and Zimouche. Thanks for sharing, Bombardier!

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